Surrender 01 - Surrender

you’ve been saving the world.”
    “Raffaello, you’re being so rude,” Rosabella scolded as she approached Shane and gave him a welcoming hug.
    “Yeah, buddy, very rude,” Shane said with a wounded look. But he winked at Rafe as Rosabella released him. His friend knew how to make Rafe look like an ass and he enjoyed doing it.
    “Would you like to join us for dinner? We were just leaving,” Martin asked.
    “Of course I would. I haven’t seen my favorite family in over six months now. How are you , beautiful?” he said while rubbing Rachel’s head.
    “I’m not ten years old anymore, Shane. You no longer get to do that,” she snapped.
    “Sorry, squirt; you’ll always be twelve in my eyes.”
    “What about Lia? Will she also always be just a small child?” Rachel goaded, causing both Lia and Shane to squirm.
    Rafe’s eyes narrowed as he saw the tension between his best friend and little sister. What the hell was going on?
    “Shane?” he questioned. Rafe knew there was a problem when Shane wouldn’t look Lia —and now him — in the eye.
    “Hey. I thought we were getting some grub. I just flew halfway across the planet and I’m starving,” Shane said with a laugh.
    Rafe noticed that Shane still wasn’t making eye contact with Lia. No question — he was going to have to have a chat with his best friend before the night was out.
    “Yes, with all the stress today, I haven’t been able to eat a thing. Knowing that you’re going to be OK has returned my appetite. Let’s find a restaurant with a view,” Rosabella said as they approached Rafe’s waiting ride.
    The family climbed in the back of the limo, and Rafe was watchful as Lia scooted all the way to the far side, while Shane sat as far away as possible on the opposite seat. He just hoped he didn’t explode before he was able to get Shane alone.
    “Where have you been and what have you been up to?” Rosabella asked.
    “Oh, nothing much. I’ve just been down in South America,” he answered, squirming a bit.
    “Nothing much! You’re building houses for families who would otherwise sleep in tents if they are lucky, and with your own money, too. Not only that, but you’ve managed to gather a group of other investors to jump in and donate not only their funds but their time. That takes some heavy lifting,” Lia said.
    “Why is it that you and my son are so overconfident in business and yet so awkward when talking about volunteer work and the beautiful things you do for people? Those are the things you should be shouting from the rooftops.”
    “First off, it’s really not that big a deal. I spent a lot of time as a teenager and in my twenties being selfish, taking whatever I wanted and not even thinking of giving back anything. Plus, if someone is doing community service for a pat on the back, then they’re wasting their time. Giving of yourself or your money is meaningless if you’re only doing it because you want to be seen or praised. The reason I like doing volunteer projects out of the country is because I don’t have the news hounding me every five seconds. If nobody knows where I am, I finally get a bit of peace. Your son’s been on a few projects with me. He says it’s to get away, but he works his behind off,” Shane answered, nodding at Rafe with respect.
    “Speaking of my secretive son, do you know what’s going on between Rafe and this lovely Ari?”
    Shane’s head whipped around and he finally met Rafe’s eyes. Rafe sent him the slightest shake of his head, asking his friend not to question him in front of the parents. When he saw the gleam enter Shane’s eyes, he knew he was screwed.
    “Well, I haven’t heard of Ari before, which tells me that Rafe may actually be interested in this woman.”
    “If you haven’t heard about her, then it can’t be that serious,” Martin said with some confusion.
    “Ah, but that’s where you’re wrong. You see, Rafe and I share everything with each other. I know all about his conquests within days of their meeting. If he’s keeping her from me, then it’s because he doesn’t know what he’s doing. Rafe always knows what he’s doing, so it looks as if a woman may have finally come along that is able to knock him off of his perfectly projected life,” Shane answered with a smile.
    Enough was enough!
    “I haven’t mentioned Ari because we hardly know each other. Yes, I’m dating her, or at least considering it. She’s a little brash, contrary to my usual